Yorkton Council began the process to move regulations regarding tree and shrub pruning was moved from the Urban Forestry Bylaw to the Property Standards Bylaw.
The Urban Forestry Bylaw currently provides the City with the authority to require private property owners to prune their trees upon receipt of a written notice, explained Brant Hryhorczuk, Manager of Building Services with the City at the regular meeting of Council Monday.
However, the Cities Act requires that an owner receiving a written “Notice to Comply” is given an opportunity to appeal the notice within fifteen days of the date of the notice. Failure of the City to allow an appeal would negate the ability to add costs to property taxes for work performed to remedy the contravention should the property owner not comply with the order, he continued.
“The provision of the Urban Forestry Bylaw that requires property owners to prune their trees and shrubs is being moved to the Property Standards Bylaw. This is being done so that the currently established Property Standards Appeal Board will be able to conduct the hearings in cases where a property owner chooses to file an appeal,” detailed the report circulated to Council.
Council was unanimous in giving the Bylaw amendment first reading allowing Administration to proceed with the Public Notice process prior to final passage.
